Newts! could well be one of a kind-a musical comedy in podcast form. It's a six-part audio drama with original music.

The Newts! podcast is set at the dawn of the 20th century. There's a knock at the door of the office of Mr. Bondy, a Dutch businessman. Behind the door is Captain Van Toch, back from his travels to the East Indies. He has a bag of pearls and a giant barrel with him. Inside the barrel is a 3-foot newt. Van Toch explains that he discovered the species on his travels. They're intelligent but in dire need of a new home, as they no longer have their native island. They harvest pearls and are therefore a good potential source of income. Might Mr. Bondy have interest?

Mr. Bondy agrees to Captain Van Toch's proposal. Thus, the Newts! podcast continues and the course of history changes. Over the decades, the newts grow in importance and value for humans. Until the day that humans find themselves under the power of the newts and must reckon for their actions.

High-caliber figures make up the cast for Newts! Broadway actor Lindsay Nicole Chambers is the narrator who tries to narrow down the exact moment when everything went wrong. Chris Barron of rock band the Spin Doctors plays Captain Van Toch. The Beelzebubs, an all-male a cappella group, play the Greek choir. Mo Rocca of CBS Sunday Morning plays the newt lawyer.

Adapted from a Karel Čapek story, Newts! is a cautionary tale disguised as a farce. Cocreators Ian Coss and Sam Jay Gold use an absurd premise and a joyous aesthetic to deliver a serious message. Humanity will one day have to face the consequences of its actions.

Lovers of musical theater will adore this podcast. Listeners who are curious about the fiction podcast format will find Newts! to be a delightful introduction. Aficionados might listen to the whole thing in one sitting.